Manchester United will take on fellow Premier League side Liverpool in the second edition of the International Champions Cup.
The ICC began on July 24 and will culminate when the two elite clubs face off in Miami's Sun Life Stadium on Monday night. The tournament was primarily held in the U.S., with Canada hosting one of the matches.
Eight of Europe's most well-known teams took part in the tournament, treating it the way MLB teams treat spring training. In that I mean, young players are giving a chance to show they have improved since last season, and prominent players can rest if they have the slightest hint of an injury. While winning a preseason cup is a nice morale boost, no tears will be shed over the outcome of the final.
The eight teams were split into two groups, with each team in the group playing each other once. Unlike the World Cup, only the first place finisher in each group advanced. United won their group by defeating Roma 3-2, Real Madrid 3-1, and drawing with Inter Milan 0-0.
Liverpool defeated Olympiacos 1-0, AC Milan 2-0, and drew 2-2 with Manchester City to earn their spot in the final.
The tournament is feeding off the buzz created during the World Cup, as Yahoo! reports that a record 109,318 showed up at Michigan Stadium to see Manchester United take on Real Madrid on Saturday.
“There is no better game to finish the tour with,” said United's Ashley Young on the team's website. Young scored twice in Man U's victory over Real Madrid, earning himself Man of the Match honors.
While it is only a preseason tournament, there is always an added level of excitement when England's two greatest clubs in history square off. “It doesn’t matter that it’s pre-season we’re here to try to pick up the trophy," said Young. "We’re in the final and we want to win it.”